Principle Conservator of Forest I B Srivastava has informed that programmes have been chalked out to control the wild elephant menace that has been increasing in North Kodagu region.
He said that identification of herds of elephants that have been creating havoc, taming them and transferring them to other area are some of the highlights of the plan.
Kodagu Vanyajeevi Sangha, WWF India and Forest Department organised a seminar to discuss ways to mitigate the fight between the tuskers and the human beings on Friday.
He said that after the construction of Harangi and Chiklihole dams in North Kodagu and the consequent conversion of forest area into human habitat, the forest area has shrunk considerably, affecting the habitat of the elephants. They hence come to the residential areas in search of food and water and end up destroying crops.
He informed that a proposal has been submitted to the Government to solve the elephant menace in North Kodagu and nearby districts such as Mysore and Hassan by taming the tuskers and transferring them to other areas. Kodagu Vanyajeevi Sangha President Col C P Muthanna emphasised on finding a scientific solution for the tusker menace. Farmers demanded increase in compensation for the crop loss.
